The FPRA actively campaigns for the interests of leaseholders and resident management companies, and is consulted by government and other organisations.

Currently the FPRA is responding to the latest government consultation paper on leasehold, in this case about requiring landlords to provide leaseholders with a regular statement of account and other service charge information.

The document is entitled 'A Consulation Paper on Regular Statements of Accounts and Designated Client Accounts', published by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

A recent campaign by the FPRA against the high price (£30) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Service Charge Residential Management Code, succeeded in getting the price reduced to £12.50.

An essential resource for any organisation involved in the running of their block, the FPRA felt the original price was far too expensive. Similar publications are much cheaper, or if produced by government, free. More on this story can be found in the Members' News Section.

The FPRA has previously submitted responses to government consultation papers on:

New Dispute Mediation Service
A new mediation service has been set up by the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE). The aim is to provide a quick, cheap, informal and confidential way to settle a dispute without the need to go to court or the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT). The cost of the service is £100 for each party.

For the full story see the current Spring 2006 issue of the FPRA Newsletter, which is available to members.

Landmark Ruling for Leaseholders
A landmark ruling by the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal has resulted in a reduction in servcie charges for residents of a mansion block of flats in London of £100,000. The case potentially paves the way for other flat owners who have been forced to pay for repairs made more expensive than necessary due to the landlord's delay in dealing with them.

The complete article appears in the Autumn 2005 edition of the Newsletter.

Does the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 Affect Your Block?
New provisions have been added to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which will affect residential leasehold properties, and impose new responsibilities on freeholders and residential management companies.
Broadly speaking, freeholders and property managers will be required to make any reasonable adjustments to their premises that are necessary for a disabled person to enjoy those premises. This could be, for example, the installation of a ramp to allow wheelchair access to a flat.
The FPRA is being consulted by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) on a Code of Practice for landlords and leaseholders, which is expected to be published in summer 2006.

Members can read more about this in the current edition of the FPRA Newsletter, Spring 2006.

New Ground Rent Notices
With effect from 28th February 2005, all long leaseholde ground rent notices must use a standard format as prescribed in Section 166 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.
This can be downloaded in the Members' Area.